Biomechanics and Motor Control Lab

Research Interests

The general research interests of the laboratory are Neural Control and Biomechanics of Movement. We study how neuromechanical systems with seemingly redundant number of degrees of freedom are managed by the nervous system to produce purposeful motor behaviors and how the neural control of motor behaviors is affected by injury (spinal cord or peripheral nerve injury, stroke, limb or vision loss).

Current Research Projects

Neural mechanisms of locomotion evoked by epidural stimulation of the spinal cord
The overall goal of this project is to determine the contribution of motion-dependent afferent pathways, selected ascending and descending pathways in the spinocerebellar loop, and the central pattern generator (CPG) circuitry to the generation of the distinct kinematic and muscle synergies during normal walking and walking evoked by the epidural spinal cord stimulation (ES) in cats with intact and partially transected spinal cord. This goal will be accomplished in experimental and neuromechanical computational studies performed in close collaboration among 4 research groups: Georgia Institute of Technology (our lab); Karolinska Institute, Sweden; Drexel University and Pavlov Institute of Physiology, Russia. In this study, we use the neuromechanical computational model of spinal control of locomotion (Markin et al. 2016) to interpret the experimentally obtained kinematic and muscle synergies and activity patterns of spinal interneurons during the MLR-evoked and ES-evoked walking in the decerebrate cat.

Sensory Mechanisms of Functional Compensation After Peripheral Nerve Injury
In this project we investigate (1) the effects of lost input from the primary spindle afferents in proximal muscles as a result of peripheral nerve injury and repair on interlimb, interjoint and intermuscle coordination during locomotion and (2) the mechanisms underlying functionally appropriate compensations after partial paralysis of a muscle group. This project involves close collaboration with Drs. Robert J. Gregor (Georgia Tech), Arthur W. English (Emory University), and T. Richard Nichols (Georgia Tech). Spinal circuitry and mechanical consequences of loss of muscle length feedback are simulated in collaboration with Dr. Donald H. Edwards (Georgia State University) using software AnimatLab developed in his group, Dr. Gennady Cymbalyuk (Georgia State University), and Dr. Ilya A. Rybak (Drexel University) using software NSM developed in his group.

Mobility Skill Acquisition and Learning through Alternative and Multimodal Perception for Visually Impaired People
In this project we study the role of different modes of sensory feedback information (visual, somatosensory, and tactile) in arm reaching tasks. To understand the process of sensorimotor integration during skill acquisition in these tasks, we perform measurements of brain activity and movement performance and also develop a model of sensorimotor integration. This project is conducted in collaboration with Drs. Zhigang Zhu, Tony Ro, Ying Li Tian, Kok-Meng Lee and Lewis Wheaton.

Development of Tongue-Operated Exoskeleton for Stroke Rehabilitation
In this project we collaborate with the groups of Drs. Maysam Ghovanloo (Georgia Tech), Andrew J. Butler (Georgia State University), and Minoru Shinohara (Georgia Tech) to develop novel therapeutic options for people with severe motor disabilities of the upper limbs.

Mechanics and Control of Precise Stepping
In this collaborative project with Dr. Beloozerova (Barrow Neurological Institute) we ask how accurate stepping movements are organized and achieved and what are the biomechanical and neural mechanisms of accurate locomotor movements. We address these questions by assessing full-body mechanics, limb muscle activity, and activity of motor cortex during locomotor task with different demands on the accuracy of foot placement. Our subjects walk on a continuous flat surface, on horizontal ladders with rungs of different widths, and along narrow pathways.

Research Opportunities

Research opportunities related to the projects listed above are available for graduate and undergraduate students. Dr. Prilutsky is also a faculty member of the Georgia Tech’s Bioengineering Graduate Program and an adjunct faculty member of the Division of Physical Therapy at Emory University School of Medicine. Undergraduate students interested in research opportunities in the lab are encouraged to apply for the the President’s Undergraduate Research Awards.